6News video: Caucus dust settles
6News reporter Cory Smith reports on lessons learned from Tuesday's Democratic caucus and what we can expect for Saturday's Republican caucus. Enlarge video
Election 2008 - Kansas Caucuses
Full coverage of the 2008 Kansas Caucuses, including interactive map of polling places and a Q&A about the process.
A Kansas Republican official expects John McCain, Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney to each make visits to the state before Saturday's GOP caucuses.
"I really think it makes Kansas an enormous tossup state," said Christian Morgan, executive director for the Kansas GOP. "You have now three candidates for the Republican nomination that are running strong right now."
But one of McCain's major supporters in Kansas says a visit is unlikely, although she expects him to win the state caucuses, based on his Super Tuesday success.
"We don't have that neck-and-neck (race, compared with the Democrats), but it's very clear that McCain is going to be the nominee," said Kansas Rep. Pat Colloton, a McCain campaign 3rd Congressional District chairwoman.
She said the endorsement of U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., likely has helped McCain in recent months. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, and Alan Keyes also are active candidates who will be on Saturday's ballot. Douglas County and other area Republicans will caucus at South Junior High School, 2734 La.
Participants - who must have been a registered Republican as of Jan. 25 - need to be in line by 10 a.m. Saturday. The doors open at 9:30 a.m. Organizers also suggest voters bring a photo ID. The caucus procedure is a little different from Tuesday night's Democratic caucuses.
At the GOP event, campaign representatives will give a short speech, and then voters will vote by secret ballot, said Craig Campbell, Douglas County Republican chairman.
Candidates can win three delegates for garnering the most votes per congressional district. If a candidate wins the overall statewide vote, plus two congressional districts, he will also earn 24 at-large delegates.
Douglas County isn't exactly traditional Republican territory compared to the rest of the state, and Campbell said he expected 400 to 500 local participants. Campbell also said he could see a candidate such as Paul getting backing here because of the college student population.
Statewide, Morgan said that GOP voters expect a turnout comparable to the 36,000 Democrats who participated in Tuesday's caucuses, and that most GOP sites can handle expected crowds.
But Republican state Sen. Phil Journey, of Haysville, said GOP officials are underestimating the number of people who will show up Saturday. He predicted between 55,000 and 75,000. Morgan said those estimates are too high.
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blue73harley (anonymous) says…
Well, of course no problems are expected. This is Douglas County. Me and the other seven Republicans won't exactly rock the house.
unite2revolt (anonymous) says…
I'm pretty sure its closing in on 50-50. If turn out is low its only because this is the first one in 20 years, and its early on Saturday morning, that and the rest of the country has kind of already decided McCain is the man to back.
Ceallach (anonymous) says…
blue, I'm sure there must be 9 or 10, see you there!
consumer1 (anonymous) says…
No surpise here, I will also be there. Don't worry lefties, this turd sandwich will continue to fight for your rights to call me names.
consumer1 (anonymous) says…
Correction added so as not to offend anyone.
No surpise here, I will also be there. Don't worry lefties, this t*rd sandwich will continue to fight for your rights to call me names. This post based on post that was removed.
Jean1183 (anonymous) says…
Ceallach is right. I will see you there too, Harley.
mrunpc (anonymous) says…
anyone even thinking about voting for mike huckabee, please read and get the word out!!!!!!!!!!! a vote for huckabee is a vote for mccain, clinton, obama. It's not too late to stop them all!
House Bill 1525 by Rep. Joyce Elliott, D-Little Rock, was approved by the House but eventually failed in the Senate because Mike Huckabee reiterated Wednesday that he believes every child, regardless of their parent's immigration status (in other words, illegal aliens), should have an opportunity to receive an education in the u.s.
mike huckabee, the false conservative:
http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/...
http://www.huckabeefacts.org/
http://www.worldmag.com/articles/12679
http://cofcc.org/?p=1018
http://www.chequer-board.net/story/20...
http://www.dailycampus.com/home/index...
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives...
http://www.talk2action.org/story/2008...
http://www.firesociety.com/forum/thre...
please consider mitt romney, the only true conservative in the race:
www.mittromney.com
stuckinthemiddle (anonymous) says…
Mitt Romney is suspending his presidential campaign... http://www.cnn.com/2008/politics/02/0...
Mkh (anonymous) says…
Ron Paul
nugget (anonymous) says…
Oh, my. Quick, someone fetch some cheese to go with that righty whine.
Who's afraid of a few numbers? No fire in the belly for most of the GOP candidates? Grab yer Rush Limburger podcast and head on over Saturday. Get in line early. There'll be thousands there... if they care.
blue73harley (anonymous) says…
americorps - Thanks. I'm glad you got the joke. I certainly wasn't whining about it. I think the turnout the dems had was pretty cool actually. A nice problem to have!
dorothyhr (Dorothy Hoyt-Reed) says…
The reason it won't be as chaotic, is the Republicans set a deadline of last week to be registered. The Democrats opened their arms to anyone who wanted to register or reregister that night. My granddaughter who will be 18 next month had to register, and I was registered as Independent, so I had to reregister. This created a long line, as there were many people in the same boat. They won't have that problem on Sat. I hope the same numbers turn out as the Democrat caucus. It would mean people are willing to get involved. And you should vote for whomever you want, not who seems to be more politically viable. Do the Republicans divide the delegates, or is it winner takes all?
srj (anonymous) says…
Still think Huckabee will be the McCain VP. McCain has to pick a conservative for the base, and probally not a Washingon guy.
Huckabee seems like a good guy, weird (opps different)views, who won southern states with no money. He'd still be close if he won Missouri.